While the pattern stipulates alternating the yarn every 2 rows, you can really make it up as you go along, as long as you finish the yarn more or less at the same time with enough of the plain yarn to bind off loosely. The goal is to see a good mix of stocking stitch and reverse stocking stitch, and the two yarns.

You only have to knit - the reverse stocking stitch is achieved by turning your work on the circular needle.

NOTE: In the Ravelry database the Magic Ball yarn is shown to have 50m per ball, but the label indicates 100m and that is more accurate.

The gauge is very forgiving so a thinner mohair may also work well, but the novelty yarn usually needs the “filler’ of a more fluffy yarn.

I hope you enjoy making the cowl - it is a great light weight project for knitting-on-the-go.

Yarn Garden and Be Sweet both have lovely Magic Ball patterns too - have a look. The one uses only the magic ball, and the other one uses quite a bit more yarn. This one fills in the magic ball while keeping the knit light and cheap. I love all three!